Honda stays put with its vision of EVs and FCEVs constituting 100 per cent of its global vehicle sales by 2040
Honda recently disclosed its current stand on future electrification strategy amidst the global EV sales slowdown. The company reaffirmed its confidence in electric vehicles as the optimal solution for small mobility products such as motorcycles and automobiles. It stays put with its vision of EVs and FCEVs constituting 100 per cent of its global vehicle sales by 2040.
The Japanese auto major has plans to produce over twenty lakh zero-emission vehicles across the globe. To realise this ambition, Honda is strategically focusing on establishing an EV value chain with a particular emphasis on battery production. It aims to decrease the cost of batteries sourced in North America by over 20 per cent by 2030 for greater sustainability.
It is supported by a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, which will culminate in the operation of an EV battery plant with an annual capacity of 40 GWh starting next year. Furthermore, Honda is collaborating with GS Yuasa in Canada to develop EV batteries for local production. In terms of product development, Honda’s 0 Series of global EVs is committed to include seven models by the year 2030.
These offerings are estimated to weigh 100 kg lighter than existing EVs. In the second half of this decade, Honda will introduce its first EV based on the 0 Series and it will boast an AI-powered system on chip, an advanced suite of ADAS features, consolidated ECU, digital user experience and much more.
Honda will also further bring production under one roof by manufacturing cathode materials with POSCO Future M and separators with Asahi Kasei to reduce production costs by about 35 per cent. In the world’s largest EV market, China, Honda will bring in 10 new eco-friendly vehicles as early as 2027 with the aim of EVs constituting 100 per cent of sales there by 2035.
The Honda 0 Series will comprise models across different categories such as entry-level SUV, sporty sedan, compact SUV, three-row large-sized SUV, compact SUV, compact sedan and much more. As for India, Honda’s first EV will arrive by 2026 and it will be based on the Elevate midsize SUV.
